Buddy Rice - Watkins Glen International

Welcome to TheGlen.com's Chat Recap!
June 20th we had the privilege to chat with IndyCar driver Buddy Rice.

Did you miss the chat?
	TheGlen.com wants to keep you up-to-date. You can see all that was discussed with Buddy Rice on Wednesday, June 20th, 2007 below.

Buddy Rice
Wednesday, June 20th, 2007
Rice was the 2004 Indy 500 champion and placed 4th in last year's Watkins Glen Grand Prix.

Buddy_Rice

Jun 20, 2007 7:15:29 PM

Hello everyone. This is WGI Moderator. I am setting up the chat for Buddy. Feel free to start submitting your questions. They are placed in a question queue and will be posted when they are answered.

M_Giguere29

Jun 20, 2007 7:27:23 PM

Hey Buddy, what do you think about your season so far?

Buddy_Rice

I think it's going good. We have a lot of room to improve but we have a team that is trying to run up front with the big teams. Right now I have more top 10s then I did in the past 2 years combined so things are going in the right direction.

dreamy

Jun 20, 2007 7:28:39 PM

will you be there at the race at Watkins and are you going to sign autographs?

Buddy_Rice

Yes and yes. I will be there for both. I finished well there last year. I am looking forward to Watkins Glen and I will be there to sign autographs.

dreamy

Jun 20, 2007 7:29:11 PM

what do you think of the women coming into the indy

Buddy_Rice

I think it's good. It's showing there is diversity and that other people want to get into it. It's a positive move.

GoFast25

Jun 20, 2007 7:29:49 PM

Hey Buddy, you feeling pretty good so far considering you have finished 10th or better in every race you finished.

Buddy_Rice

Yeah I am. I definitely want to improve. I tested well at Mid-Ohio and I think we can improve on our finishes when we get to The Glen.

LeadFoot26

Jun 20, 2007 7:30:36 PM

Nice job last week. Seems like you're racing better than you're qualifying. Any idea why?

Buddy_Rice

We just put a lot of focus on our race package. We don't worry too much on qualifying. It's important but we want to make sure we run well during the races.

SwimRacer

Jun 20, 2007 7:31:25 PM

What is the biggest difference between racing with Rahal-Letterman last year and Dreyer & Reinbold this year?

Buddy_Rice

I think it's basically the focus and drive of the organization. Everyone is moving and driving in the same direction. Everyone believes in the same thing and it's working well. Everybody from top to bottom is going in the same direction and that's the biggest difference right now.

GoFast25

Jun 20, 2007 7:32:28 PM

What's it like being teamed up with Sarah this year versus Danica last year?

Buddy_Rice

They are two different people and two different teammates. They go about things differently. Like any teammate you have to learn how to interact with them. They both have different backgrounds and different upbringings.

SwimRacer

Jun 20, 2007 7:33:10 PM

Think you can duplicate or improve your 4th place at The Glen from last year?

Buddy_Rice

Yea I'd like to think so. We stand a good shot to do so. It's going to be difficult with the big guys on the big teams but we tested well at Mid-Ohio so I definitely think we have the opportunity to do well.

LeadFoot26

Jun 20, 2007 7:33:46 PM

What needs to happen to make your car more competitive?

Buddy_Rice

We need a big sponsor. We need some more sponsorship dollars to help with testing and R&D. We're slowly getting there but it's hard to compete with the teams with the big dollar figures.

dreamy

Jun 20, 2007 7:34:00 PM

hello

Buddy_Rice

Hi!

GoFast25

Jun 20, 2007 7:34:24 PM

Was the Indy 500 victory milk cold or warm when you drank it?

Buddy_Rice

It was ice cold and it tasted great. Best glass of milk I had ever had.

SwimRacer

Jun 20, 2007 7:34:56 PM

Why do you think Marco is struggling so much this year?

Buddy_Rice

I'm not sure. It's difficult to say. Dario and Tony have been running quite well. I'm not in that inner circle so it could be any number of things.

LeadFoot26

Jun 20, 2007 7:36:00 PM

What's it like winning the Indy 500?

Buddy_Rice

Obviously the feeling is unbelievable. It's the biggest race in the world. Your face is on the trophy with A.J. Foyt and the Unsers and Rutherford. It means everything to me and it one of the biggest racing accomplishments I have ever had and probably ever will have.

dreamy

Jun 20, 2007 7:37:20 PM

how was it like being partners with a female

Buddy_Rice

I really don't treat them any differently than any other teammate. They are a different sex but we act like any other teammate. We obviously don't change in the same haulers but everything else is pretty much the same.

M_Giguere29

Jun 20, 2007 7:38:02 PM

Any plans in NASCAR?

Buddy_Rice

Really I'm on a 1 yr deal with Dreyer Reinbold. I'm working on an off-season deal with the A1 GP. My door is always open though.

dreamy

Jun 20, 2007 7:38:27 PM

do you think you can win at watkins glen

Buddy_Rice

I like to think so. I think it will be difficult but we have a strong chance to do so. I really like that track.

SwimRacer

Jun 20, 2007 7:39:48 PM

What do you do away from the track?

Buddy_Rice

I guess it depends at the point of the season. I drive a lot of go-karts since I own a go-kart shop. I snowboard in the off season and just a lot of things outside.

LeadFoot26

Jun 20, 2007 7:40:43 PM

Why do you like The Glen?

Buddy_Rice

One is for the great drivers that have driven there. Another is the flow of it. It's enjoyable with a lot of elevation changes. It remains me of a European circuit which we really don't compete on.

GoFast25

Jun 20, 2007 7:41:59 PM

Would you call The Glen your favorite track?

Buddy_Rice

Indy is obviously my favorite oval but I definitely think The Glen is one of the road circuits that i really enjoy to run. We don't run as many road courses as we used to but it definitely has to be towards the top for sure.

LeadFoot26

Jun 20, 2007 7:42:52 PM

What happened with Champ Car?

Buddy_Rice

That was just a one race offer. It just came down that I really wanted to drive in the IRL and it was the best offer.

LeadFoot26

Jun 20, 2007 7:43:37 PM

Think a merge will ever happen?

Buddy_Rice

It needs to happen. Hopefully sooner rather than later. It will eventually happen because we can't have two open-wheel racing series going against each other. Again, hopefully sooner rather than later.

LeadFoot26

Jun 20, 2007 7:45:19 PM

It looks like there is more balance this year. You agree?

Buddy_Rice

There is somewhat more balance. You will have that with a level playing field with the same engine and chasis. But the more money you have the better you will be. We are a small team trying to run with the big teams right now.

M_Giguere29

Jun 20, 2007 7:45:56 PM

Do you think the merge will make this sport more popular?

Buddy_Rice

Definitely. I will take away the dark cloud over the both of them. I think it will bring sponsors to one series so it will be stronger for everybody.

dreamy

Jun 20, 2007 7:46:22 PM

would you ever go to a dirt track and race at one for a night?

Buddy_Rice

Yeah for sure. I would drive anything. I might not be very good at it but I would certainly try it for a night.

GoFast25

Jun 20, 2007 7:47:47 PM

Where would you like to go?

Buddy_Rice

If you're asking what track I would want to go to I would have to say I don't know. We are slowly expanding. Not taking away anything from St. Pete but it would be nice to get back to Long Beach. Also Laguna or Road America. There are some track that would be nice to run at again.

dreamy

Jun 20, 2007 7:48:49 PM

we have a dirt race track in Dundee, New York that is about ten miles from Watkins Glen they race on Friday nights

Buddy_Rice

I wouldn't be able to drive on a race weekend but if someone contacts the team maybe I can come back sometime.

SwimRacer

Jun 20, 2007 7:49:21 PM

Are the cars slower now than they used to be?

Buddy_Rice

They try to monitor the speed all the time. It depends on where you are. The speed being controlled by the league is for safety reasons.

Jam3131

Jun 20, 2007 7:50:27 PM

I'm sorry - I joined the chat late and this may have been answered - but what do you think about this stretch of five races coming up now?

Buddy_Rice

With the way they've implemented our season we're running almost ever weekend which is good for recognition from the fans. It's a good move but it's difficult because it takes a lot of time to maintain the cars and keep them rolling. Especially if there is a crash or accident since you usually only have 2 cars.

M_Giguere29

Jun 20, 2007 7:51:07 PM

Do you have any friends who are NASCAR drivers? Maybe Kevin Harvick by chance (He is my favorite) And about dirt track, maybe Tony Stewart could invite you at Eldora

Buddy_Rice

Yeah I know some of those guys. I've raced against them in other series and anything is possible so you never know.

dreamy

Jun 20, 2007 7:51:29 PM

I can send a message to the track owner and let him know who knows maybe a few of you can come and have a good time on dirt

Buddy_Rice

It will be difficult to do on a race weekend for us.

Jam3131

Jun 20, 2007 7:51:58 PM

do you wish there were more road course events - like Watkins Glen - or do you think the schedule is fine as it is?

Buddy_Rice

I always prefer more road courses. We don't need a lot more of them but a few more would be nice. I think they're getting very close to having a nice balance on the schedule.

LeadFoot26

Jun 20, 2007 7:52:58 PM

If you could change anything about the IRL what would it be?

Buddy_Rice

That's a tough question. I really don't know off the top of my head. It would be nice to have more people running and have a solid 25 cars week in and week out.

M_Giguere29

Jun 20, 2007 7:53:42 PM

Do you plan to run the Rolex 24 at Daytona next year?

Buddy_Rice

Yes I do. I do plan on doing that. I"m not 100% sure but I will probably be back with Red Bull Brumos Porsche and I will be back with them for the 1000K at the end of the year at Utah.

dreamy

Jun 20, 2007 7:54:06 PM

they can get something when you are not racing they start in may and end in October

Buddy_Rice

We will see what we can work out. No promises though.

Jam3131

Jun 20, 2007 7:55:02 PM

what do you think about the upcoming race at the glen? there are a lot more road course experts in the field than there used to be

Buddy_Rice

Really since 2000 and everyone came over there's been a lot of road course guys. Everyone pretty much have a road racing background with the exception of Sarah, Anthony and Ed. It should be pretty close and definitely looking forward to it.

dreamy

Jun 20, 2007 7:55:21 PM

that is alright they have a few cup drivers come every year

Buddy_Rice

That's cool.

Jam3131

Jun 20, 2007 7:56:35 PM

are you glad that Sarah will be able to compete on the road courses this year?

Buddy_Rice

yeah. I think it's good for her. It's something she obviously wanted to do. It takes a lot of seat time and the only hindrance is the lack of time in an IndyCar on road courses and subsequent experience. But I think she's done really well with it.

M_Giguere29

Jun 20, 2007 7:57:41 PM

Tony Stewart said on his radio show couple weeks ago that he didn't like what was going on with Goodyear in NASCAR. He said he would prefer running Firestone. My question is: Does Firestone do a good job in IRL?

Buddy_Rice

Yes they do. They take the speeds we are traveling and we don't have tire failures. They do a terrific job giving us durability, grip and safe tires to run on.

Buddy_Rice

Jun 20, 2007 7:58:59 PM

Thanks everybody for sending in your questions. I hope I got to everyone and if I didn't sorry about that. Come see me at the autograph session at The Glen and ask me there. Thanks again and see you in July.